The Pursuit of Happyness is a film based on the true life story of Chris Gardner. The film has a running time of 153 mins and has a 12 Certificate. Cast members include super star Will Smith, son Jaden Smith and Thandie Newton. Gabriele Muccino directs.

Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a salesman in San Francisco. He's struggling to sell medical scanners which he has invested his life savings in, and is now struggling to make ends meet.

After one too many arguements usually about their lack of money, Chris' girlfriend (Newton) walks out on him and their son (Jaden Smith). She heads to New York where she has a job lined up leaving Chris to raise their son himself.

Spotting a Wall Street Stockbroker exiting his flash car, Chris hears of an internship in a Stockbroker training program. This is a highly competitive program. With some pure determination and some impressive rubik's cube skills Chris lands himself the chance to take part. However the internship is unpaid and only 1 out of 20 interns make the cut and land a job at the end of it.

With no salary coming in and his scanners not shifting, Chris decides to take the internship in the hope that he will be able to improve his future for himself and his son.

After weeks of dodging rent, Chris and his son are evicted from their home. They move on to a cheap motel, but are soon unable to make rent even there. They are forced to sleep wherever they can including homeless shelters and one heartbreaking night in a metro station bathroom.

From then on Chris struggles to impress at work, make it out on time to pick up his son from daycare and get in line to get a bed at the shelter. All the while doing his best to keep his circumstances from his work colleges. Also trying to fit in the time to sell the remainder of the scanners. Will he make the cut?

The film ends with a small note to let us know what Chris Gardner went on to do in real life.

Verdict- I loved this film. Although may people know the story of Chris Gardner and how the story ends, I still feel this is a must see. It had me crying my eyes out, even the 2nd and 3rd time I watched it. There are many heartbreaking scenes that are just done so wonderfully. Like the scene where they have to spend the night in a metro station bathroom. It all begins as a game, yet once his son is sleeping we see Chris cry. It is so hard to see a man trying to do his best for himself and child yet struggle so much. The father/son relationship is fantastic and so clear from the start. Its central to the whole story and is expertly portrayed by actors Will and Jaden. This may be down to their real life father/son relationship, but it comes across so beautifully on screen. The film has such a strong message of hope, no matter how bleak things get Chris just keeps on trying. People always say to get to the top you have got to start at the bottom and work your way up, it has never felt more true than after you have watched this film. It really makes the viewer think about what is really important. A roof over your head, your childs favourite toy or special moments together are all so much more important than flash things. Makes those of us who are in a better situation realise how lucky we really are. Furthermore the economic situation of the last few years means that many people will be able to relate. There are also a few funny moments, so you won't be crying the whole way through.
The dvd also comes with some great special features including , Father and Son on screen and off and a conversation with the real life Chris Gardner.
A fantastic watch for all.